1826 - The Menai Suspension Bridge connecting the Isle of Anglesey to the north West coast of Wales was opened. The bridge was not the first suspension bridge, but was so much larger than anything previously built that it is considered the world's first modern suspension bridge.

1945 - The Wilhelm Gustloff, overfilled with refugees, sinks in the Baltic Sea after being torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, leading to the deadliest maritime disaster in known history, killing roughly 9,000 people.

1945 - World War II: 126 American Rangers and Filipino resistance liberate 500 prisoners from the Cabanatuan POW camp.

1945 - World War II: Hitler gives his last ever public address; the Radio address on the 12th anniversary of coming to power. (A subsequent address on 24 February was not read by Hitler.)

1968 - Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive begins when Viet Cong forces launch a series of surprise attacks in South Vietnam. Although an overall defeat for the Viet Cong, media coverage of the offensive would turn American public opinion against the war.